Lucy's mama

A few dogs have been mentioned that I'd never considered. I will be able to put together a bit of a short list and we can both do the research.

He is really not that terrible, just more difficult than expected and perhaps more suitable to a quieter home with older or more sedate children. She did want her own Aussie, but no, I'm not sure it would be a good idea. Although with an adult we would know what we were getting exactly.

Yes, she is coming with me, but I am only a newbie myself. Good luck finding her something suitable.

I like your thinking Aussielover.

Yes, it will be awhile before she has any hope of it happening, but it can't hurt to get ideas and input well in advance so we know what we are looking for. I would prefer her to have a more child friendly dog than Banjo currently is. He may become better as he ages but atm close supervision is required for the kids to even make it from the front door to the front gate. Which is another reason I would not get a young pup again.

She is coming to agility training with Banjo and I. He is too strong for her though and she is too small to work him well. Perhaps if he was older and already well trained it would be fine.

The Sheltie bark is of concern.... We had a little Jack Russell rescue boy who was a brilliant old dog once he realized that in his new home he ate dog food off a dish on the floor rather than sit at the table with the people for tea and toast. I don't think we want anything that small though. In my experience (and I may be wrong) the smaller the dog, the harder it is to contain. I'm thinking no smaller than 8kg and no heavier than 15.

Yes, I am prepared that it may end up being my dog. :-) I do think we will try for a young adult or older confident pup regardless of what breed we go with.

My daughter is 10 years old and really really really wants her own dog to train in agility. It will be quite some time before that happens because the thought of another active dog to manage right now fills me with dread! But I do want to start investigating what might be suitable. She is hell bent on a Sheltie, (a dark shaded sable female to be precise!) While I love the Sheltie breed I am worried Banjo (Aussie Shepherd) may be way too rough and tumble even for an adult Sheltie, and I don't want to commit to years of keeping dogs seperated from each other. Other thoughts have been beagle just for size and happy nature, but they seem too stubborn and easily distracted by scents from what I have read. Mini poodle - none of us are poodle fans but might be o.k. Clipping could be an issue though. Cocker Spaniel - LOVE LOVE LOVE them, but again, lots of grooming. Daughter loves to brush but I'm just not sure with such a silky coat ande our yard full og prickly things and ears prone to infection - definately on my short list, though it is worth noting I rehomed a pet shop cocker when I couldn't keep him in and his life was being threatened by irate neighbours. I know a lot more about crates, pens, exercise and mental stimulation now though and have a better idea of what fencing will be required... Cavalier - not sure if a cav would be big enough, and daughter says 'kinda cute in an ugly sort of way' So what would you recomend (even if it's not on the list!)

I ordered mine Saturday and it has arrived today. Very happy with the service.

Who says the child was not supervised? Things happen when parents are RIGHT THERE. A dog can give several short sharp bites in the time it takes to cross the room can't they?

Thanks SK, I had been surfing for a cheapy soft crate this morning.

Thanks Angelsun

Could someone please give me a quick description of a pace verses a trot? Just curious...

I always really really really wanted a black newfoundland.

Oh yeah, the first 5 months were fine, no crying when he arrived, toilet trained without mishap etc, but I must have broken him cause now he is the big puppy from hell 20% of the time and fantastic the other 80. After he nipped a girls nose recently I was *this* close to sending him back, but of course, I love him to bits and know he just needs more time to grow up. I'm sure in another two years I'll be happy I stuck it out because he will be the most fantastic dog ever.

I would prefer to see the pups first, but if the breeder is well known and trusted I don't think it is 100% necesary. When I was looking for an Aussie there seemed to be two types of breeder - those that let you choose from pics at birth, and those who would let you know at 8 weeks if they had a puppy for you - no guarantee you'd get one at all. For that reason I went with a 'pick one from the pictures' breeder. If a breeder had of said 'Ýes, you WILL get a puppy but I will choose which one' I would have gone that way instead, but I wasn't prepared to wait till 8 weeks then find that none was for me.

'I know I shouldn't but...

Lucy's eyes used to come up yellow in photos. Banjos shine red - even just having the kitchen light on at night makes his eyes shine red - Evil puppy!

We went to my daughters sports day today. It was held at Centenary Lakes, which is a big garden/park/sport complex on the river. My son rode his bike around the lakes while Banjo walked with me, fed ducks while Banjo managed not to chase them, and played on the exercise equipement while Banjo and I did some obedience work. Then we headed over to the oval the kids were competeing on and he got millions of kiddie pats and watched the kids play and a few other dogs with their owners. He was such a good boy. I kept shovelling in the bacon, luncheon and chicken while the kids patted him till he had had so many pats he found the kids less exciting and could be good without me feeding him. Then the kids took turns in getting him to perform sits, rolls and drops for kibble. It was just what I needed today to feel better about his behaviour.

I love this idea! Banjo loves running with me so it will be a great reward to him. Just have to get over the first hurdle of getting him to do something reward worthy!

Sorry, could someone please explain to me again how to get a dog to do as it's told even when there is no treat or reward around? Rewarding sporadically doesn't help because he still needs to see a reward might be available to actually do anything, even if that reward is just that the door will be opened for him. What about when he doesn't want something but I still need him to sit or stay or drop?

I think we have the same dog. I feel your pain, I really do. We are also quite a drive from the park, and quite frankley, it's not safe to be there after dark when my partner gets home at 6.00pm. We do go for short walks on our street, and this is mentally exhausting to me but does nothing to satisfy Banjo and often seems to put him in one of 'those' moods. (Frustration perhaps?) I can say though that he is oh so slowly getting better. He still has all the same horrible behaviours and the kids can't even go outside to play without asking me to bring him in, but he can sometimes go whole days with out major incidence. Apart from regular obedience training and trying to keep up the walks, regular fetch and controlled tugging, I have done the big NILIF no-no and given him a toy that he loves. Often when he is over the top excited he directs his energy into zooming with, tossing, and shaking the toy. It also means when he does jump on the kids, he has something in his mouth already so is less likely to nip. I actually feel really bad now for getting this dog because the kids freedom has completely evaporated. From free run of two acres, building cubbies, playing tag, riding bikes and climbing trees to having to ask permission to go outside or come back inside, 'walk slowly' 'no squealing' 'no swing while Banjo's outside' 'stay inside while I'm busy, I can't watch Banjo' 'just half an hour on your bike, I can't keep him locked up too long' BUT he has improved so all I can do is keep training, keep managing him and hope it all falls into place as he matures. Good luck with him!

Do you have a link to any info on the course Tenille?

Banjo thinks cow hooves are tops. And why wait for them to be off the cow???